The Alberta Teachers’ Association

Gerry Smith, ARTA Executive Director

October 22, the association representing the province's retired teachers will celebrate its 40th anniversary during its annual general meeting.

It all began in November 1963, when retired teacher associations in Edmonton, Calgary and Lethbridge joined forces and formed the Alberta Retired Teachers' ­Association (ARTA).

Joe Durand and John Mazurek (Edmonton Catholic), and Ron Rhine and Phil Cox (Edmonton Public), played key roles in organizing ARTA and serving as its first administrators. Over the years, ARTA's presidents have been elected from the province's 14 branches. Lily McCool (St. Paul), Fione Milne (Medicine Hat) and Marjorie Simpson (Grande Prairie) represent just a few of the many retired teachers who have served on the executive.

In recognition of one member's contributions, Dora Corbett (Calgary), ARTA's president from 1996–99, will receive ARTA's Honourary Life Membership during the AGM. Corbett will be recognized for her involvement with ARTA and her commitment to education in Alberta.

At 40, ARTA, like its members, shows no sign of slowing down. Although membership is voluntary, it continues to grow and stands at more than 8,000 members.

Over the years, the association has evolved but remains faithful to its original mandate to focus on the needs of its members. For example, in 1995, ARTA started its own health benefits program with Johnson Incorporated, a company with 40 years' experience assisting retired teachers in Ontario and the Maritimes. Johnson Incorporated offers ARTA members a comprehensive selection of hospital, dental and extended health plans.

Recently, the association established three awards recognizing education students enrolled at the universities of Alberta, Calgary and Lethbridge. And in 2003, ARTA supported its active teacher colleagues through its submission to the Commission on Learning.

Although ARTA works closely with the Alberta Teachers' Association (ATA) and the Alberta Teachers' Retirement Fund (ATRF), it remains a separate entity. ARTA greatly appreciates the assistance of the ATA in providing office space, guidance and assistance over the past 40 years. As a show of thanks, ARTA vigorously supports the ATA in its ­endeavours.

ARTA's mandate is to advocate for retired teachers on pensions and health care matters. At the national level, ARTA works with the Canadian Association of Retired Teachers to lobby the federal government. In Alberta, the association cooperates with the Alberta Council on Aging to represent the interests and needs of seniors to the provincial ­government.

Why not join ARTA today?

For more information about ARTA, contact Gerry Smith, executive director, (780) 447-9474, Edmonton.